Costco Expansion Plans Bend Oregon Spark Fresh Rumors
Costco's Bend expansion is a planned relocation and enlargement of the city's existing warehouse to a new north Bend site off Highway 20 and Cooley Road, with the project approved by city planners and tied to a much larger Gateway North development. The new store was described as roughly 185,000 square feet and is intended to replace the long-time Forum Shopping Center location, adding a gas station and car wash and, in earlier versions of the plan, nearby housing and retail.
What the Bend plan includes
The core of the Bend Costco project is a move from the eastside Forum Shopping Center to a larger parcel on the city's north end. City reporting described a 52-acre Gateway North site that would hold the warehouse plus supporting uses, including a transit mobility hub, more tree preservation, EV charging, and expanded parking. The project has been framed locally as a response to growth, traffic pressure, and the need for a more modern retail footprint.
- A new warehouse store of about 185,000 square feet.
- A gas station and car wash as part of the site plan.
- A north Bend location near Highway 20, Cooley Road, and Robal Lane.
- A relocation from the older Forum Shopping Center site.
- Potential for surrounding mixed-use development, though some housing elements stalled.
Timeline and approvals
The city approval process for the new Bend Costco moved forward in 2023, when planners approved the site plan after earlier revisions to address parking, bikes, trees, and transit concerns. Reporting in 2024 said construction was under way and opening targets shifted from late summer to October, reflecting the kind of schedule changes common in large commercial builds. By 2025, the new store had opened, marking the completion of a relocation that had been discussed for several years.
- 2023: Bend planners approved the revised Costco site plan.
- 2024: Construction and opening-date updates were reported publicly.
- 2025: The new north Bend Costco opened and the old location was expected to close or be sold.
| Project element | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Store size | About 185,000 square feet |
| Location | North Bend near Highway 20 and Cooley Road |
| Site size | About 52 acres |
| Added features | Gas station, car wash, EV charging, mobility hub |
| Development context | Gateway North mixed-use project |
Why it matters
The north side move is important because it signals how Costco adapts to fast-growing markets like Bend, where retail convenience, traffic flow, and land availability matter as much as raw sales potential. A larger site gives the retailer room for a more efficient layout, wider parking, easier truck access, and fuel services that can increase customer loyalty and basket size. For Bend, the project also reflects a broader shift of commercial activity toward newer growth corridors.
"This is the kind of project that changes how a city shops," one Bend planning document effectively implied by emphasizing traffic design, mobility access, and expanded utility infrastructure.
Local context
Bend's rapid population and retail growth have made large-format development a recurring local issue, especially on the north side where road access and land assembly are more feasible than in older commercial districts. The Costco project also sat inside a larger debate over whether the Gateway North area should include apartments, retail pads, and services beyond the warehouse itself. Even as some of those mixed-use pieces were delayed, the warehouse move remained the anchor investment.
The Forum site on Bend's east side is significant because it leaves behind a prime retail parcel in a busy area of town. That creates second-order effects for nearby tenants, traffic patterns, and the future use of the old store footprint. In practical terms, the relocation is not just a store opening; it is a commercial reshuffling of one of Bend's most visible big-box properties.
What shoppers can expect
The new Costco warehouse was designed to be more convenient than the old location, with more modern circulation, fueling access, and room for shoppers. Customers should expect a larger parking field, easier access from the north side of town, and a site that can handle heavier traffic at peak hours. For members, the main upside is usually less congestion and more service capacity, especially for gas and high-volume shopping trips.
In a relocation like this, the old store typically continues to operate until the new site is ready, then transitions out once inventory and staffing are moved. Costco also tends to preserve employment during such moves, which matters in a market where retail labor stability is part of the customer experience. The company's broader expansion strategy, visible nationally, has also reinforced the sense that Bend is part of a larger growth pattern rather than an isolated local project.
Frequently asked questions
Bottom line for readers
The Costco expansion in Bend is best understood as a relocation into a larger, better-positioned northside site rather than a simple store remodel. It reflects Bend's continued growth, Costco's preference for scalable warehouse formats, and a long-term bet that north Bend will remain a major retail corridor.
Expert answers to Costco Expansion Plans Bend Oregon Spark Fresh Rumors queries
Is Costco expanding in Bend, Oregon?
Yes. Costco's Bend expansion refers to a larger north Bend warehouse project that replaced the older eastside store and was tied to a broader mixed-use development plan.
Where is the new Bend Costco located?
The new store was planned for north Bend near Highway 20 and Cooley Road, in the Gateway North area.
How big is the new Costco in Bend?
Local reporting described the new warehouse at roughly 185,000 square feet, making it larger than the previous Bend location.
What else is included in the project?
The project included a gas station and car wash, plus broader site planning for parking, EV charging, trees, and a transit mobility hub.
Why did Costco move in Bend?
The move was driven by growth, better site access, and the need for a larger, more functional retail footprint than the older Forum Shopping Center site could provide.